Verse Of The Week : 5 Nov 2023

READY:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5

SET: 

Staying connected to the vine is the key to greater strength for a branch.

When a branch is connected to the vine, there is a flow of nutrients and every possible need the branch has.
This connection enables the branch to grow and eventually bear fruit.
However, when the branch is detached from the vine, it withers and loses its strength quickly and evidently. 

What a powerful image Jesus gave us to understand the importance of staying connected to Him—that is, abiding in Him. 

What does it mean to abide? 

Abiding is a word that means to dwell, to live, to wait, and to stay. 

There is no striving, no straining, just being. 

A branch on a tree just remains exactly where it needs to be, and when that is the case, there is abundant strength that it receives because it is connected to the source of strength. 

Isn’t it a little counterintuitive to talk about gaining greater strength by abiding? 

I want to challenge us with this critical message of staying connected to Jesus. 

At times it may feel like we can do more on our own, but ultimately God has a source of strength that He can provide us that goes beyond what we can imagine.
His grace flows into our lives and give us strength.

I love 1 Peter 4:11 when it states this,

“…whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” 

1 Peter 4:11

There is a source of greater strength and His name is Jesus. 

Jesus provides greater strength to you when you invite Him to strengthen you.
Stay connected to Him through prayer, through time in the Word, through fellowship with other people, and throughout every circumstance in the day.

May we be humble to acknowledge our dependency and need of God’s strength continually and be open to receive His strength for every circumstance that is set before us.  

GO:

1. Who is someone in your life that stands out to you who is strong? Would you consider yourself to be a strong person?
2. What needs do you have daily that God can supply you with? 
3. What things disconnect you from Jesus? What connects you to Jesus? 

WORKOUT: Joshua 1:9, Psalm 71:14, Ephesians 6:10, James 4:6